Pontyberem’s wonderful run in West continued by defeating a very game Lampeter side by 24-14 and with only one other match surviving the weather. They now lead the division by three points from Kidwelly and Haverfordwest. Brothers Matthew and Phil Rowe scored tries and flanker Richard Thomas and scrum half Jonathan Clayton added the others, while Clayton converted two of them.
In the only other match, Kidwelly could be well pleased with their 15-6 victory at Tumble, while in the East, there were also only two matches to be played. In the Newport derby, Pill Harriers defeated Newport Saracens by 20-0 in a match
switched to nearby Tredegar Park and centres Mark Wheeler (2) and Gareth Owen scored tries with full back Neil Whatley placing a conversion and penalty.
Abergavenny went down 12-8 to Newport HSOB on the fine Bailey Park pitch as a Ryan Williams try and a James Didcot drop goal failed to halt the Old Boys tries by Andrew Sydney and Craig Payne and a John Pocock conversion.
Only one match was played in the South-East as Brecon beat Ynysybwl by 15-3 with Matthew Lewis and Gary Bowen scoring the Brecon tries. Gareth Dodd placed a conversion and Dan Edwards a penalty, while Paul Tibbs landed a Ynysybwl penalty.
Only one match was played in the South-West as leaders Banwen were in tremendous form as they hammered out a 51-6 win at Ystradgynlais. The victory lifts Banwen five points clear of Maersteg Quins at the head of the table.
(Please note that the Ystalyfera v Kenfig Hill match was not played, though one report stated Ystalyfera won 6-3!!)
DIVISION FOUR.
Pontyclun’s run in the South-East ended on their own Windsor Park ground when next-to-bottom club Bedlinog not only came and conquered, but ended up 26-3 winners. Heol y Cyw gained a splendid 15-12 win over Dowlais as lock Rob Bartlettscored both home tries, while Abercwmboi’s ran in two tries in a 35-5 win over Penarth.
Bargoed gained their 16th successive win in the East as they won 17-3 at St Peter’s with Matthew Lewis and Wayne Bowen going over to keep Bargoed on course for the title. Cardiff HSOB had to withstand a second half fightback by hosts Monmouth.
The Old Boys led 15-0 at the interval before Monmouth hit back and scored ten points. Ruthin put more daylight between themselves and secondplaced Nant Conwy after beating Wrexham 17-0 in the North. Rhys Hughes, Wayne Williams and Iwan Roberts went over for the winners who are now nine points clear of Nant Conwy though they have played three more games. Newtown and
Llandudno had a close encounter before Newtown edged home 8-7 thanks to a penalty by Rowan Meek after both sides had s cored tries. Tycroes gained a welcome win in the West when they held on to beat fellow strugglers Bynea 8-5 and in the only other game in this division, Pembroke Dock Wuins won 18-10 at Fishguard.
Briton Ferry took over at the top of South West after their 33-0 win at Abercrave. Bottom club Maesteg Celtic won 30-10 at Pyle and Glais moved up a place after beating Cefn Cribbwr 10-5.
DIVISION FIVE.
Crynant celebrated a hard-earned 12-5 home in over Porthcawl in the South-West in the only match played in that division and they still believe they can lift the title. Hooker Nigel Rees and centre Simon Thomas scored the tries and skipper Christian Gibbons placed a conversion.
In the North, only Machynlleth and Bangor managed to start the match in appaling conditions and after 15 minutes, with Bangor leading by a penalty, it was called off by mutual consent.
In the South-East, leaders Llandaff gained a splendid win by 19-3 on the excellent Waterton Cross pitch against a useful South Wales Police side. Only one other match survived as the Deri Broncos went to Bridgend Sports Club and only just failed to secure the points, going down by 7-5. Cefneithen stole a march on their rivals in West to increase their lead at the top of the division. The slammed struggling Llangwm 52-0 while close rivals Crymych’s game against St Clears was a victim of the weather conditions. Pembroke moved above Crymych after beating Penygroes 35-17 and Pontyates won 17-3 at St Davids.
Only three games survived the strong winds and downpour in East where Gwernyfed moved into second place as a result of their 36-0 victory over Usk. Paul Cullen raced in for a try hat-trick and there was one apiece for Paul Morgan, Steven Harley and Jonathan Davies. Machen defeated visitors Blaenavon 34-0 with Alex Curley bagging a brace of tries but leaders Trinant were surprisingly gheld to a 8-5 win by battling Cardiff-based St Albans.
